64 episodes

Feel like being a Group Fitness Instructor is a lot tougher than it used to be? You’re not alone! From being thrown into virtual classes to seeing ‘fitness models’ everywhere and watching the rise of the boutique studio, it’s easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed and struggling to find your place as an Instructor. But we’re here to help. Host Will Brereton has worked in Group Fitness for over 20 years as an International Presenter for Les Mills and Beachbody and now runs his own Group Fitness brand SH1FT Fitness. He’s seen it all and he’s ready to get REAL about what it’s like to be a Group Fitness Instructor in 2022. Join Will and as he interviews some of the biggest names in Group Fitness about the topics that others shy away from. Each episode will provide you with tips, advice, stories, inspiration and a lot of real talk to help you not only survive, but thrive in the world of Group Fitness in 2022 and beyond.

Group Fitness Real Talk SH1FT Fitness

    • Health & Fitness
    • 5.0 • 59 Ratings

Feel like being a Group Fitness Instructor is a lot tougher than it used to be? You’re not alone! From being thrown into virtual classes to seeing ‘fitness models’ everywhere and watching the rise of the boutique studio, it’s easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed and struggling to find your place as an Instructor. But we’re here to help. Host Will Brereton has worked in Group Fitness for over 20 years as an International Presenter for Les Mills and Beachbody and now runs his own Group Fitness brand SH1FT Fitness. He’s seen it all and he’s ready to get REAL about what it’s like to be a Group Fitness Instructor in 2022. Join Will and as he interviews some of the biggest names in Group Fitness about the topics that others shy away from. Each episode will provide you with tips, advice, stories, inspiration and a lot of real talk to help you not only survive, but thrive in the world of Group Fitness in 2022 and beyond.

    How to make more money as an instructor in 2024

    How to make more money as an instructor in 2024

    We ALL live in hope that 2024 will be the year that instructor pay improves. But… this podcast is called group fitness Real Talk, and the real talk is that any big shifts - not matter how well deserved - don’t seem very likely. 
    So how exactly can you make more money as an Instructor in 2024? 


    I think you need to get smart in how you use your time and how you seek opportunities. And this is the subject that I’ll be discussing in this epsiode with Rosanna Tucker from CoverMe. 


    Now I know that you’ve already got a headstart of the average instructor because you’re listening to this podcast. You know the importance of educating yourself and so I know that this opportunity will be music to your ears. So my advice is to get out there and take up this opportunity now, before the rest of the industry catch up.


    And - finally - check out the link below to get details on the VERY VERY special partnership discount that we have running with CoverMe. You’ll be able to access training in the SH1FT Fitness formats for a never before seen discount, exclusive to this partnership:

    https://sh1ftfitness.net/coverme


    If you’re a UK instructor, you’ll be able to set up and account with CoverMe right now - and start seeing what classes are available in your area. If you’re listening from anywhere else, you’ll still be able to access this exclusive discount with SH1FT, and you’ll be notified as soon as CoverMe hits your area.

    • 53 min
    Pre & Postnatal Fitness - What Every Instructor Should Know

    Pre & Postnatal Fitness - What Every Instructor Should Know

    As a GX Instructor, you’ve undoubtedly had pre and postnatal people in your classes. This is why it's important to have a solid foundational knowledge in how to provide these members with a safe and effective workout. ⁠
    In this episode, Will speaks to Danielle Spangler, an industry expert on pre and postnatal fitness.  ⁠Danielle has written many articles for fitness journals and education outlets about this very topic. Not only is she a GX Instructor herself, but she also owns a studio, Beach Life Fitness Boutique, as well as COREMOM Fitness, specializing in prenatal, postpartum, and women’s health and fitness.
    In this chat, Danielle is breaking down some of the things that can happen during each stage of pregnancy and postpartum, some of her observations from working in this field for a long time, and ways that you, as an Instructor, can make your classes more helpful, safe, and welcoming for people who are pre and postnatal. We also talk about why this is a great niche for more GX Instructors to explore. 
    Before we get into the episode, please always ensure that a pre or postnatal member of your class has their doctor's clearance before partaking in exercise. And with that said, have a listen and enjoy this information packed episode with Danielle!

    Links and References mentioned in this episode:
    Core Mom Fitness: Instagram and Website Beach Life Fitness Boutique (online classes): Instagram and FacebookThe MedFit NetworkThe Gray Institute Female Kinetic Chain CourseWill’s Facebook, Instagram and Email AddressSH1FT Fitness Website

    • 56 min
    What Instructors NEED To Know About Social Media

    What Instructors NEED To Know About Social Media

    Today on the podcast, I'm talking with Rachel Holmes about all the things Instructors NEED to know about showing up on social media in 2023. Rachel is both a fixture in the UK fitness circuit and also smashing it on social media right now, so I really wanted to pick her brain and get her top tips for GX Instructors.
    Rachel is a seasoned fitness professional who transitioned from being a BMX champion (yes, you read that right) to a fitness Instructor, and is now teaching fitness professionals how to monetize their knowledge and build recurring income. 
    In this week's episode, Rachel gets REAL about:
    What platforms Group Fitness Instructors should be onMindset shifts for overcoming lack of motivation and self-confidence so you can fully show up onlineHer recommended strategy for local vs online Instructors
    Links and References mentioned in this episode:
    Rachel’s Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and online studioHow To Create Passive Fitness IncomeWill’s Facebook, Instagram and Email AddressSH1FT Fitness Website

    • 49 min
    How To Package Your Proposition with Kelly Coulter

    How To Package Your Proposition with Kelly Coulter

    Today on the podcast, I'm back with repeat guest, Kelly Coulter. Last time, Kelly came on to talk about the three biggest business building mistakes that Instructors make when they start out teaching online. If you haven’t heard that episode yet, be sure to give it a listen (you can find that here)!
    Now for this episode, we're talking about something a little different. Most Group Fitness Instructors are GREAT at understanding how to create a class, deliver it, and cultivate community. But many struggle in trying to put that into a business plan or creating a product that they can sell to make a living from. So today, Kelly is here to talk about how to package your proposition, what to do to make it marketable, and how to grow your income as a Group Fitness Instructor. 
    Kelly is the host of of the Grow Your Fitness Business Facebook Group and founder of FitPros Connect. She loves helping experts in the fitness industry, like you, create and market high impact programs so they can make more money without burning themselves out.
    We also dive into what a proposition is (in case this is all new to you), what to charge so you can REALLY make a profit, the kind of programming she suggests for GX Instructors, money mindset, and much more.
    Links and References mentioned in this episode:
    Grow Your Fitness Business Facebook GroupGrow Your Fitness Business on InstagramFitpros Connect FB GroupFitpros Connect WebsiteFlourish with Age Facebook GroupWill’s Facebook, Instagram and Email AddressSH1FT Fitness Website

    • 39 min
    The Science Behind Creating A Killer Playlist

    The Science Behind Creating A Killer Playlist

    This is one of those episodes where we’re going to keep it REAL and hit you right up front. We think that a lot of Instructors listening to this podcast have entirely the wrong idea about rights-included music. 
    We get it! You like to use the music that you hear on the radio in your classes. But we are living in a digital age where record companies and production houses are going to make it more and more difficult for you to use that original artist music in your classes, particularly online. 
    At SH1FT Fitness, we believe in giving Instructors as many strings to their bow as possible, and that includes being able to teach their classes everywhere - on and offline. 
    Today on the podcast, Will is interviewing Nikkie and Sam from Pure Energy Go. Nikkie is an International Fitness Presenter and Sam is a DJ who is currently working in the music industry. They're going to talk about how they work with some of the biggest DJs in the world (yes - the one’s you hear on the radio!) to curate and create incredible fitness music that can be used on any platform; in person on-demand, or live-streaming. 
    As you're going to hear in this episode, the pandemic changed the way that we approached music specifically created for the fitness industry. It opened the gates to professional DJs and world famous artists who are now creating music specifically for use by fitness instructors across every platform. These are radio level DJs producing tracks that work with the special nuances of fitness classes. This is music that will never get muted when you put it on social media, music that you can use and commercialize across your live and digital businesses and music that is REALLY GOOD! So, if you're an Instructor who wants to be able to teach in as many venues and as many places online and offline as possible, you need to give this episode a listen. 
    Sign up for the Pure Energy Go App here and check out these EXCLUSIVE discounts for podcast listeners: 


    FOR MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTIONS:
    Use code REALTALK for £5 off your monthly subscription for the first 3 months (£14.99/month instead of £19.99).


    FOR PURCHASING INDIVIDUAL TRACKS:
    Use code SH1FT for a £2 discount on Purchases.

    Links and References mentioned in this episode:
    **Sign up for the Pure Energy Go App here. Use code REALTALK for £5 off your monthly subscription for the first 3 months (£14.99/month instead of £19.99). Use code SH1FT for a £2 discount on Purchases.**Pure Energy’s Website, on Instagram, and FacebookThe Pure Energy Go AppNikkie’s Website and InstagramSam’s Website and InstagramWill’s Facebook, Instagram and Email AddressSH1FT Fitness Website

    • 41 min
    Pump No More? The New Rules for Strength Classes

    Pump No More? The New Rules for Strength Classes

    Programming real strength development training in a group fitness setting has always been a challenge. But if you can do it well, it can be the biggest opportunity for you as a group fitness instructor to attract a broad audience of people to your classes. The question is, how exactly do you achieve effective strength development when you're dealing with the constraints of the group in the setting? And why is the strength development audience so attractive? 
    In today's podcast, we're going to tackle these questions head on. We will look at the evolution of strength training as a group fitness format, and how it's changed from the traditional barbell pumped style class into something that's far more closely resembling gym floor training. We're also going to look at what we can learn from hugely successful strength training boutiques, and how we, at SH1FT Fitness, have translated all of these learnings into a group fitness format that delivers a varied and interesting workout that works with the equipment available in a typical group fitness studio and actually delivers on strength gains. 

    Now, there's always been a fair amount of opposition towards strength in the group fitness setting, particularly from PTs who argue, perhaps correctly, that you can't achieve the same strength gains in the group fitness setting as you can with the gym floor program. But guess what? Most people aren't working out so that they can lift the heaviest weight possible. They're training to be fit, strong and healthy, and that's something that we should be able to 100% get behind and achieve in the group fitness setting. 

    If you're a group fitness instructor that has any interest in teaching strength and conditioning based formats, I highly recommend that you give this episode a listen.


    Links and References mentioned in this episode:
    Learn more about L1FTFollow Sam on InstagramWill’s Facebook, Instagram and Email AddressSH1FT Fitness Website

    • 56 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
59 Ratings

59 Ratings

Julie Bar ,

Limitations

Thanks so much for this episode on limitations. I have Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT), a neuromuscular disease. I’m a fitness instructor and have tried to keep myself moving through the years, even to the point of hiking and backpacking the last couple years. I would love to hear more podcasts on others working through their challenges. Thank you!!

Nikkidabomb ,

Greatest fitness talk podcast

I love listening to this podcast, it’s one of a kind and Will has a lot of great knowledge to spread to all instructors out there. It’s very positive, to the point and encouraging. We needed something like this!!

MelissaO44 ,

Hitting a pandemic wall

Will, all of your podcasts are excellent but this one really impacted me on an emotional level. We’re all struggling, our participants are struggling and hearing you talk about it openly and candidly was exactly what I needed right now. I leave negativity at the door so I can bring light and positivity to my classes. But, I also realize now that it’s important to share with them that I have many of the same feelings they have and welcome them to talk openly if they are comfortable. I think this approach can bring my community closer and open us up to a deeper dialogue. Thank you for this podcast topic, it came at just the right time.

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